Here are some good pro-choice articles that I've been emailed over the holidays:

"The Only Moral Abortion is My Abortion" - When the Anti-Choice Choose

Life Matters, The Story of an Illegal Abortionist

Peace of mind on a stick

Medical association asks state to change abortion language on Website

Reproductive health care is not a luxury

Here's to the new year! May she bring us all good health, good news, and a pro-choice president!

While the FDA is considering putting the morning after pill on over the counter status, let's take a moment to reflect on what is really behind the conservative's agenda to keep birth control out of women's hands. I won't waste my time writing up a good rant because mac already has. Thanks feministe for the new read!

"Leading women's rights organizations today announced a new name for the April 25, 2004 national march: The March for Women's Lives. The name change reflects the urgency of the issue and the huge diversity of the groups co-sponsoring the march. The new name better represents the broad agenda of those who support women's reproductive health, justice, and freedom, as well as access to family planning and abortion."

Don't worry, I won't be changing the name of this blog. Bloggers for Women just doesn't sound the same, does it?

Last night I attened the Chicago meet-up and I gotta say, I dunno how Dean does it. The meet-up wasn't as organized as I thougt it might be. The Heartland Cafe, while happy we were there to eat, didn't appear to be as welcoming of a large group to work. Miss Ella made an appearance & her Tia Canella was overjoyed to see Ella in her winter hat, even if she still has room to grow. It was nice to be in a room full of excited women about going to DC and kicking some ass.

Do you have any thoughts on the name change?

I got an email last week asking me to remind everyone about the grassroots effort to fund the UNFPA. If you recall, this money was slashed by Bush on the basis that it forces women to have abortions. His own fact-finding mission to China came back and said that was bullshit, but he still went ahead with the lie.

In this season of giving, you can also give a present!

Today is another Meetup! Here's hoping that your meet-up goes well. I'm going to attempt to make it to ours tonight. Ella will also be making an appearance.

"The decision was not difficult. I chose my wife."

When I think about the war we are fighting for control of women's bodies, I often think of the early 1900's. Back when women didn't have any political power and we had to pressure men into granting us rights like the ability to vote. Men are not the enemy, only specific men. Women are not our sole allies, some are even our enemy. For those of us with male partners, we need to involve them in this war.

The hubby understands this only after years of me pouding it into his head. I vowed years ago not to pound stuff into people's head, but when it comes to my life, I'll excuse myself from that promise.

After having Miss Ella, I now fully realize the extent that one must totally trust one's partner when giving birth. You are awake, for the most part, but not full able to make rational decisions. You HAVE to trust that your partner will make the best choice for you. You literally put your life into your partners hands! It's down right scary to sit and let that set in. So let's take a moment.

Think of your partner. S/he is cute, eh? Smart? But can you trust them to make the right choice?

No?

Is it because you haven't talked about it?

Talk about it.

The hubby has known for years, even before the this whole "partial birth abortion" crap came up, that I wanted him to choose me. That if anything went wrong and I had to be scurried off to the nearest hospital, to tell the ambulance to skip the Catholic hospital.

I have to admit that just before I had Ella, I told him that if Ella was healthy and the doctor said it was me or her, to choose her. I'm not sure if he could have done that. Thankfully we didn't have to find out.

My point of this entry is that we need our men. Whether as lovers & partners or as friends in the fight. We need our men.

Maybe the man in your life can't make it to DC with you, maybe they can help you pay for a tank of gas, some food, or just buy you a nice blanket for the bus. Let him know you need him just as much as you need your sisters.

Being pro-choice isn't just about abortions. Most of us know that. It's not just about birth control either. It is about full control of our reproduction. It is about being able to make the right choice for ourself when it comes to giving birth to a child.

One of those choices is slowly going away, just as many people are discovering it. Midwives are going out of business. We hear on the news about OB/GYNs going out of business, but one ripple of that effect hits midwives. Midwives, in some states, can't operate without a doctor as a partner. I had a midwife (two in fact) for my pregnancy. If I have another child, I want a midwife again.

Most people don't realize that a midwife can be your OB too! The only time I've seen a doctor for my girly parts was when I was using Planned Parenthood for my medical needs. Once I got insurance I hooked up with my midwife. She does my annual exam, writes my birth control scripts, and since I don't see a general doctor, she takes care of my as a whole being.

So if you've heard of midwives and wondered what the deal with them was, now you know. They range in ideals and philosophies, so check out a few before you settle on one!

OK, I got us a change of clothing for this baby. It's simple and does what I need it to do. Can everyone see this ok? Let me know *cough*cinnamon*cough* if there's a problem. *smooch*

I need a new template for this baby. I need one with three columns and one that will look decent in Netscape. Anyone? Anyone? Thanks.

This is a long profile on an abortion provider. Warning, it is graphic and disturbing, but it is also a must read.

Cruel to be kind
In the twilight of his career, a late-term-abortion doctor tells all
BY REBECCA PALEY

DR. WILLIAM RASHBAUM, a New York City gynecologist and one of the pre-eminent and longest-practicing providers of second-trimester abortions in the United States, is not known as easygoing, and upon returning from a day of operations he erupts at the question of why one of his patients that afternoon, a 14-year-old rape victim, waited so long for an abortion. That’s the one question he can’t stand. Witness to myriad women in their most intimate and dire moments, this elderly doctor, dressed in an outfit of khaki pants, bow tie, and red-striped oxford shirt, all reminiscent of a prep-school student, is fiercely protective of those in need of his services and has absolutely no patience for those doubting their motivations. "You want to criticize her?" he barks in a loud voice made louder by partial deafness. "She is the cutest little girl you ever saw. She is not a woman; she is a child."

read the rest here.

****sign up for the March for Choice and let us bloggers know you're going**

Show of hands of those of us who have taken a home pregnancy test!

While peeing on a stick or in a cup (in years past) doesn't lead one to ponder, "How did they come up with that?" It is quite a medical miracle that we can figure out if we're knocked up in the privacy of our own bathrooms. No waiting for a doctor to call back or having to schedule time off of work to get to the doctor. Last year I thought that somehow doctors had a better test, so when I took two tests and both came back positive, I didn't want to fully believe it until I went in and my midwife would say - YES, You're pregnant. Of course, they laughed when I said that to them.

So grab a cup of tea and click thru the History of the Pregnancy Test Kit. They want to hear your stories too! Tell the federal government the time you dropped your test in the toliet and had to run back to the drugstore for another one in the middle of the night, only to find yourself having to pay the same teenaged boy again in the checkout aisle. Um, no, that wasn't my story...close thou!

From NARAL Pro-Choice America:

The Food and Drug Administration will soon decide whether to give women a second chance to prevent unintended pregnancy. Anti-choice activists are trying to stop them – we’ve got to stand up and be counted.

Urge the FDA to make emergency contraception (EC) available over-the-counter. The FDA is taking public comments through Friday, December 5. This application comes at a time when we face an extremely hostile and anti-choice Administration. Make sure the pro-choice movement’s voice is heard!

The US Congress is set to make a law that says basically that the FDA knows what it is doing EXCEPT when it comes to mifepristone.

HR 3453 and S 1930 are called the "RU-486 Suspension and Review Act of 2003."

To provide that the approved application under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for the drug commonly known as RU -486 is deemed to have been withdrawn, to provide for the review by the Comptroller General of the United States of the process by which the Food and Drug Administration approved such drug, and for other purposes.

SEC. 2. FINDING.

The Congress finds that the use of the drug mifepristone (marketed as Mifeprex, and commonly known as RU -486 ) in conjunction with the off-label use of misoprostol to chemically induce abortion has caused a significant number of deaths, near deaths, and adverse reactions.


And remember that while you are holiday shopping that while Wal-Mart sells that DVD for cheap, you can't pick up your morning after pill there. They refuse to stock it!

edited Dec 2, 2003